Dubai Chamber at Japan Investment Promotion Forum

Hassan Al Hashemi, Director, External Relations, Dubai Chamber, who led the Dubai delegation, gave a presentation on the availability of investment opportunities in the emirate. He also highlighted the world-class services provided by the Chamber to all its stakeholders including its members and the international business community and the role of Dubai Chamber in supporting the economic growth of Dubai.

The two-day Forum that was first held in the Japanese capital Tokyo and the following day in the strategic city of Osaka had a strong presence of 18 MENA countries including the UAE. The 200 people that attended the event showed a lot of interest in the Dubai presentation that highlighted the emirate's astronomical growth.

Al Hashemi took the opportunity to explain Dubai Chamber's regular dialogue with its local business community as one of the initiatives in dealing with the current economic situation and apprised the audience about the important role the Chamber played in voicing the concerns of the business community to the relevant Government authorities.

Al Hashemi's individual meetings with Japanese businessmen focused on their interest in the investment opportunities in the emirates and the procedures of setting up business in Dubai. They also asked him for assistance in establishing contacts within the UAE and Dubai markets.

Al Hashemi also met the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Tokyo Chamber of Commerce officials on the sidelines of the Forum. His meeting with Hiroshi Kurihara, project general manager for Asia International Division at Tokyo Chamber, focused on issues of common interests and the adoption of means to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two chambers. Al Hashemi reiterated Dubai Chamber's stance in consolidating the global chamber network by assisting each other with information and networking.

Al Hashemi's meeting with Kazuko Kamado, Manager, International Division of Osaka Chamber of Commerce, discussed the current economic situation's impact on Dubai and Japan. Ms Kasuko expressed her hope in forming a fruitful trading partnership with Dubai Chamber.

Said Al Hashemi:

"Dubai Chamber's participation in the Forum provided us with the opportunity to update the Japanese business community with the investment opportunities available in Dubai while also shedding light on the role of the Chamber in raising awareness of its services amongst the Japanese people. The meetings also helped us understand the impact of the current financial situation on the Japanese economy and the main requirements of Japanese businesses trading with Dubai."

The Director of External Relations informed that the visit helped establish stronger trade ties with the major Japanese chambers of commerce whose members are seeking investment opportunities in the UAE.

These meetings provided a broader prospect for cooperation in the future as Japan ranked 4th in the list of Dubai's trading partners in 2007. The emirate's non-oil trade with Japan reached Dhs34bn in the same year.